Although I was fairly busy opening new H-E-B's and organizing other very important events for my internship at The CE Group over the summer, I found some time to do some traveling as well.
Right before my birthday in May, my mom and I took a fun girl's trip to Los Angeles with our friends Elizabeth and Emmy Rogers. I always love going to LA - we have a few of our favorite restaurants that we frequent - and the weather is always perfect. But this time was extra special because we stayed at the Beverly Hills Hotel for the first time.
the pool at the BHH - I highly recommend treating yourself to a pomegranate lemonade
The BHH has now become one of my favorite places on earth. My mom and I bragged about it so much to my dad, it inspired a second trip at the end of the summer, but more about that later. Aside from the paradise of shopping LA provides, it also provides some of my favorite places to eat including Mastro's, The Grill on the Alley and Dantana's.
the butter cake at Mastro's
Out of the three, Dantana's is by far my favorite - its a truly unique and special place. When you walk in, if there's not a line out the door, whomever is standing at the maitre d stand, usually a drunken regular, will immediately hit on you or buy you a drink and inform you that although you are right on time for your reservation, there is no telling when you will be seated.
After you have a seat at the tiny bar, it's likely you'll strike up a conversation with an elderly woman who has been coming to Dantana's every week for 55 years, or another man who was there the night before when the entire Hilton family was in there. Dantana's is the local neighborhood italian place with the best food and the best action arou
nd - a must when you're in LA.
Dantana's
After a long stretch of lake house flooding and mediocre weather around San Antonio, the family decided to plan an American family bonding trip - Yellowstone National Park. Although most families take these kind of trips when they have young children, in my opinion it was much more significant and memorable going at this age. We arrived in Jackson Hole, Wyoming in mid-July and all were extremely relieved when we walked off the airplane into the 65 degree beautiful weather. We stayed at the Four Seasons in Jackson Hole which is by far one of the most beautiful hotels I've ever been to, although I think it would be a little cozier in the winter. Its right at the foot of the mountain and has a wonderful lodge-y feel to it.
the crew headed into the park
waterfall that rivals Niagra
and of course...Old Faithful
While there, not only did we visit Yellowstone - which was amazing - but we also fell in love with a tiny little breakfast joint - Nora's Fish Creek Inn in Wilson. Although Nora's serves all three meals, I highly recommend going for breakfast, the blueberry pancakes and huevos rancheros are to die for. We also had drinks at the Amangani Hotel which had the most amazing views I've ever seen. If I could choose one place to revisit year after year, I think Jackson Hole would be in my top 5.
view from the Amangani, Jackson Hole
...and finally, the pancakes
Soon after we returned from Jackson Hole, my boyfriend and I were off to Washington D.C. to meet his parents at a convention and do a little exploring. I had already been to D.C. twice, but it was his first time so I made an itinerary for every little minute (most of which we never got to).
While I do love the Washington Monument and the Holocaust Museum, two of the restaurants we went to really made the trip memorable. If you can't tell yet, eating is one of my favorite hobbies. It was my second trip to the Old Ebbitt Grill - a fabulously old and classic lunch spot right across the street from the White House. The food is to die for and the atmosphere is even better. Our new found secret, though, was Founding Farmers. The pictures speak for themselves.
what's left of fried chicken, waffles and mac n' cheese at Founding Farmers
Red Velvet Cake at Founding Farmers
Ok, I'm almost done...
We went back to LA with the fam for one last hurrah at the end of the summer before we all went back to school, and although we went to mostly the same eateries so the boys could experience them, we also ventured out to Universal Studios for a little trip down memory lane. Although I will admit I thought I was a little old to go wait in lines and ride rides at a theme park, Universal ended up being extremely fun - I highly suggest if you have a few days to waste in the LA area. On the last night I accidentally slammed my finger in the car door :( but it was all made ok by the last wonderful meal we had at Giorgio Baldi where we saw Jennifer Garner. (We also saw the whole Kardashian klan and the gov'na at the hotel that trip!)
so long sweet summer...
